New York, NY - When the Soviet Union collapsed, many
Americans hoped that the Cold War would collapse with it, that a "peace
dividend" would lead to the shrinkage of the Pentagon, and that bloated
military spending would be reallocated.
The mantra of that moment was "the enemy is dead".
It was momentary.
It was soon replaced by a silent "long live the enemy", as the terror
war replaced the Cold War. This war was never really just about
terrorists, of course. It's largely about keeping the
military-industrial complex steaming ahead with all of its jobs in key
congressional districts, while sustaining the profits earned by military
contractors.
A war economy always needs a war. The big secret in Washington is that American capitalism needs Pentagon socialism to survive.
The
attack on the Twin Towers became a justification for a vast expansion
of military activity without end. Dick Cheney predicted this new war
would be a long one, estimating it could last 50 years.
Ten years of that 50 have elapsed with no real end in sight.
